Stoke-on-Trent GP receives British Empire Medal

Dr Prasad Rao was recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s honours today with a British Empire Medal for services to healthcare.

Dr Rao has lived and worked in North Staffordshire for more than 30 years, working as a GP in Dresden. Dr Rao has personally taken on a number of challenging roles at local, regional and national levels such as setting-up the North Staffordshire Doctors Out of Hours Co-operative in 1994, that provided care to over 500,000 people. At a national level he was Chairman of the British International Doctors Association (2005-2009) actively promoting the valuable contribution that overseas doctors have made in the NHS.

He was instrumental in the successful creation of Stoke on Trent Clinical Commissioning Group as the former Chair. His strong vision and belief in high quality primary care services ensured he commanded respect from the GPs in North Staffordshire leading to improved care for patients.

Professor Ruth Chambers OBE, Chair for Stoke on Trent CCG, said: “Prasad has worked hard for over three decades to improve care for his patients and the people of North Staffordshire. He is an exceptional leader whose determination, vision and respect amongst clinicians were instrumental in building the foundations for our local healthcare system.

“Despite his achievements, Prasad has never lost touch with his patients and always goes the extra mile to support a patient or family when they most need him. We are thrilled that Prasad has received this well-deserved recognition after doing so much for our community.”

Dr Steve Fawcett, Medical Director of Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire CCGs, said: “Prasad has shown a level of commitment and leadership that has been example to us all. I know that his former colleagues and patients will all join me in congratulating him.

“He has steadfastly promoted the needs of overseas doctors both locally and at a national level, as well as providing practical advice and help for doctors to develop their careers. It is wonderful that his hard work both locally and nationally has been recognised.”

On winning the award Dr Rao said: “I am proud to have been able to serve the public and I am very grateful and humbled to be recognised in this way by colleagues.”

Dr Rao lives in Trentham with his wife and has two grown up sons who are both doctors.